ANKARA - Physical activity and a healthy diet play a crucial role in the prevention of certain types of cancer, such as cancer of the pharynx, liver, pancreas, breast and intestine, according to the World Health Organization. The head of the Turkish Cancer Association concurs with this view and says 40 percent of cancer-related deaths can be prevented.

Contrary to common belief, stress is not a major cause of cancer and although tobacco use ranks the highest, people who lack a healthy diet or are not physically active are also at risk.

"An unhealthy diet and physical inactivity are the second highest risk factors for developing cancer after tobacco use. Being overweight or obese can lead to certain types of cancer and around 30 or 40 percent of overall cancer deaths can be prevented by physical activity and healthy diets," said Tezer Kutluk, head of the Turkish Association for Cancer Research and Control.

In an effort to raise awareness about cancer and prevention methods, a press conference was held Wednesday in Ankara for World Cancer Day. The theme of this year’s world cancer campaign, launched by the International Union Against Cancer, or UICC, is encouraging an energy-balanced lifestyle based on a healthy diet and physical activity.

Aside from adults, this year’s campaign gives special emphasis to children and young people, urging them to adopt a balanced nutritional diet and an energy-balanced lifestyle.

"We do not see our children playing in streets anymore. They are in front of computers. They are all inactive. Fast food is becoming popular. We want our children to adopt eating habits oriented more toward fruit and vegetables, to choose low-calorie menu options in restaurants and for school canteens not to sell chips," said Kutluk.

Across the globe, 11 million people are diagnosed with and 7 million people die from cancer each year. Some 150,000 people are diagnosed with the disease annually in Turkey where stomach cancer is the most prevalent. The annual number of new cancer patients worldwide is expected to rise from 11 million to 17 million by 2020. Tobacco use alone causes 30 percent of all cancer deaths.

Aside from early diagnosis, regular examinations and vaccines, physical activity and healthy diets play a crucial role in the prevention of certain types of cancer such as cancer of the pharynx, liver, pancreas, breast and intestine. According to the World Health Organization, 1 billion adults are overweight and at least 300 million are clinically obese. Of these, around 30 million to 45 million children are obese. Compared to tobacco exposure, the significance of environmental factors such as mobile phone use, genetics and occupational risk factors are modest.

An ideal and healthy diet should be based on fresh fruit and vegetables, white meat including fish and chicken, the consumption of olive oil and dried fruits. Being a vegetable and fruit-rich country, Turkey is ideal in this respect, according to Kutluk. Avoiding sweets, alcohol, salt and meat is essential, he said.

Based on a survey conducted in December 2007 with the participation of over 2,000 people, a report on cancer in Turkey said a change of beliefs and behavior also needed to be promoted in the campaign.